A helicopter carrying Hindu pilgrims has crashed in India, killing seven people.
In the early hours of this morning (Sunday, June 15), a helicopter carrying Hindu pilgrims travelling to Guptkashi in the Himalayas crashed within moments after take off.
The aircraft departed from Kedarnath temple town on what should have been a 10-minute journey but crashed minutes later at around 5.20am in Uttarakhand, several miles from the pilgrimage route.
Traffic ground control reportedly lost contact with the helicopter as it traversed near the mountainous region of Gaurikund.
Tragically, local reports confirm seven people have died, including a child and the pilot.
The burning wreckage and debris of the helicopter has also been found.
The burning debris from the crash (Twitter)
The tragic news comes just three days after an Air India airplane flight bound for London crashed less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and dozens more on the ground in a giant fireball.
The doomed jet miraculously had one survivor, 40-year-old British man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who managed to walk away from the wreckage when it collided into residential buildings.
In today’s incident, it is believed the helicopter was operated by the private helicopter service, Aryan Aviation, and officials suspect the crash was caused by adverse weather conditions, reports Sky News.
Nilesh Bharne, IG Law and Order, told the Indian Express: “Around 5.20am on Sunday, the helicopter went missing after taking passengers from Kedarnath, en route to Guptkashi. It crashed in Gaurikund, leading to seven deaths. We are ascertaining the reason for the crash.”
Authorities are now assessing what went wrong and will review operational protocols for similar flights in the region.
Officials have confirmed seven people have died in the crash (Twitter)
A joint meeting is said to be taking place with the chief minister and other top officials to review the circumstances of the crash, including the Chief Secretary, Secretary of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Secretary of Disaster Management, and representatives from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Directorate of Information, according to India Today.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also said on Twitter: “The extremely distressing news of a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district has been received.
“SDRF, local administration and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations.”
It is not uncommon for helicopter crashes to occur in the region where flights are risky due to sudden weather changes.
In May, a helicopter crashed in Uttarkashi district which had just one survivor. The crash killed six people, including the pilot.
Earlier this month, a helicopter operating in the Kedarnath Valley had to make an emergency landing shortly after take off due to an alleged technical fault. All five passengers walked away unscathed though the pilot was reportedly injured.
Featured Image Credit: X
Topics: India, Plane, Travel, World News
Liv Bridge
Everyone’s wondering the same thing after seeing map of where seat 11A was on Air India flight that crashed
Following the crash, people have been left with a lot of questions
The Air India airline crash only left one survivor – and people are wondering how on Earth he managed to escape a deadly fate.
On Thursday, June 12, the Air India flight plummeted to the ground only minutes after leaving the Ahmedabad, India Airport. Video footage of the aircraft quickly descending in a residential area showed the terrifying plane crash land and a massive fireball erupt as a result.
The flight was identified as AI 171 and was on its way to London Gatwick, scheduled to arrive at 6:25 p.m. local time. According to the airline, there were 242 passengers and crew members on board.
Air India added: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.”
The Air India crash has stunned the world and left people with multiple questions (Getty Images/Bloomberg)
Only one person from the flight is said to have survived the crash. This individual was identified as British national, 40 year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh and was sat in 11A on the flight.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, and have yet to say what the cause of the crash was.
However, while this has been a burning question for many, a more prominent one is on people’s minds: How does a person survive in seat 11A?
Writing on social media, people question whether the seat’s position on the plane improved Ramesh’s chances of survival or if other factors were involved.
One Twitter user wrote: “Likely jumped/was flung clear pre-fire. Reinforced frame + instant egress + luck.”
Another said: “Next to the frame structure, in front of the wing, no seats in front of him. Increases time of impulse while protecting him from full structural compression?”
A third commented: “Pure Luck. That’s all it is. Not karma. Not an act of God. Just luck.”
Experts have also weighed in on the deadly nature of the crash and how it would genuinely appear unsurvivable.
The apparent sole survivor from the crash was identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Prof Edwin Galea, director of the Fire Safety Engineering Group (FSEG) at the University of Greenwich spoke to the Telegraph and said: “As far as this accident is concerned, I think it’s miraculous that anyone survived because I think technically this crash is probably a non-survivable crash.
“We still don’t know enough about it, but a fully fuelled aircraft crashing into a built-up area, it’s probably unlikely that we would expect to see any survivors from this.
“This is probably an unsurvivable crash a) because it’s in a built-up area and b) because the damage to the fuselage would have been so severe. Plus the huge post-crash fire would make it unlikely. The fact that one person has survived, I think, is miraculous.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/SAM PANTHAKY
Gerrard Kaonga
Sole survivor spoke out after Air India plane with 242 on board crashed shortly after takeoff
The survivor spoke of his shock and surprise at the whole incident
Authorities have confirmed that at least one person survived the deadly Air India plane crash and he has spoken to local media about his ordeal.
An Indian flight leaving from Ahmedabad and was bound for London Gatwick crashed back to earth moments after taking off on June 12.
The Air India flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board and of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
The seemingly sole survivor of the plane crash was a British national, 40 year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
Ramesh, who was sat in 11a of the flight has spoken to the media about surviving the crash and about his confusion on how he survived.
There is thought to be only one survivor from the plane crash carrying 242(Narendra Modi/Twitter)
The cause of the crash is still under investigation and police have not yet given a final figure of fatalities, from the plane and those on the ground below.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times from a hospital bed in Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Ramesh said: “Thirty seconds after takeoff there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.
“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Members of Ramesh’s family have also spoken to the media from Leicester and added that Ramesh has ‘no idea’ how he escaped but they added that he is now doing well.
Dr Dhaval Gameti, who treated Ramesh, said: “He was disorientated, with multiple injuries all over his body. But he seems to be out of danger.”
Speaking of his ordeal, Ramesh said: “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.” (Republic)
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also released a statement on the incident after visiting the crash site.
Sharing pictures of the scene, on a Twitter post, he wrote: “Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.
“We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti.”
Featured Image Credit: Republic
Topics: News, World News, Air India, India, Plane
Gerrard Kaonga
Air India pilot’s reported tragic final words in distressed mayday call before crash that killed 265
The plane crashed back down to the ground after only getting a few miles from Ahmedabad Airport
The tragedy of the Air India crash still leaves many questions unanswered, but what the pilot reportedly said before the disaster has been revealed.
An Air India flight crashed just minutes after taking off from India’s Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday (June 12).
The AI 171 flight was on its way to London Gatwick and was expected to touch down in the UK at 6:25 pm local time.
However, the flight would only reach about 625 feet in the air before plummeting to the ground four miles away from the airport runway.
According to the airline, there were 242 passengers and crew members on board. Air India added: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the crash (Photo by SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images)
There was reportedly only one survivor from the plane crash, 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai, 265 bodies have so far been recovered – including people who died on the ground – but this number may increase as rescue efforts continue.
The exact cause of the crash is currently being investigated, and more details are expected to come out over the coming days.
The two pilots flying the plane have been identified as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder.
India’s aviation regulator said the aircraft gave a mayday call to air traffic control. However, there was no response from the plane after that.
The captain reportedly called out on his radio: “Mayday […] no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.”
It’s believed that the pair of pilots then attempted to get control of the plane as it sank through the air before crashing into a medical college hostel.
The Chairman of Air India, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, has also released a lengthy statement and offered his condolences, while saying the incident was a ‘tragic accident’.
The cause of the crash is currently being investigated (Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He said: “With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
“At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.
“Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families.”
UNILAD has contacted Gatwick Airport for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Bloomberg
Topics: News, World News, Plane, Air India, India
Gerrard Kaonga
Air India CEO gives new update on how much it will pay families and survivor affected in plane crash that killed 241
The CEO has revealed those affected will get an interim payment
Air India’s CEO has given an update on how much it will pay families and survivors affected by the plane crash that killed 241.
Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD of Air India has revealed in video posted to social media just how much the families affected by the doomed flight will receive in monetary compensation.
On Thursday (June 12), a 40-year-old British man became the sole survivor of the London-bound Air India flight that had departed from Ahmedabad and crashed less than a minute after takeoff into residential buildings.
The crash killed all other 241 passengers and crew, as well as dozens more on the ground.
The crash killed more than 200 people including passengers and people on the ground (Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images)
Wilson has now said Air India will be issuing financial support to those affected with an interim payment of 25 lakh rupees, or approximately £21,000 (around $28,000), to each of the families of the deceased and also the survivors.
“This is in addition to the 1 crore rupees, or approximately £85,000, already committed by Tata Sons,” he continued.
The CEO then explained that the company is beginning its next stages and working with the grieving families.
“The process of reuniting next of kin with their loved ones and personal effects has begun,” Wilson continued. “Our teams are working closely with the families and the authorities to help the reunification process and, where appropriate, with repatriation.”
“This is an emotional process and we ask that families be given space.”
Message from Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India.
Widespread safety checks are also being carried out across all of its fleet.
“Air India is also in the process of completing precautionary safety checks on Boeing 787 aircraft as directed by our regulator, the DGCA,” Wilson said.
“We will complete all checks within the timelines prescribed by the regulator.”
The plane seemingly fell out of the sky (Press Information Bureau (PIB) / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Since the jet came down on Thursday, the authorities confirmed its black box was recovered from the crash site and an investigation is underway to determine what happened.
Wilson continued: “As has been confirmed by the authorities, the aircraft’s data recorder has been recovered, which will form part of the official investigation and Air India continues to fully cooperate with these investigations.”
“At this juncture, I also wish to acknowledge the work done by first responders and those from many organisations since the accident and also to our crew, who continue to operate with professionalism and with safety always as their primary responsibility.
“Thank you,” he concluded.
His statement comes as the authorities are yet to determine how and why the plane came down so suddenly after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport.
The captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, had called out down his radio: “Mayday […] no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.”
Within minutes, it then crashed into a residential area, Meghani Nagar, and into a medical college hostel where it erupted into a massive fireball.
